Telephone toll apparatus.



No. 880,708. PATENTED MAR. 8, 1908.

E. P. BAIRD. TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1901.

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TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

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A No. 880,708. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908. E. P. BAIRD.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1901. 7

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E. P. BAIRD.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

'APPLIOATION IILED MAR. 25, 1901.-

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- 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD P. BAIRD, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BAIRD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

" while the subscriber deposited a coin.

such devices, means were provided for re-' TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Batented March 3, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, EDWARD P. BAIRD, a resident of the city of Evanston, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Toll Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates more articularly to telephone lines and toll-c0 ectinghand receiving devices associated there- Wit It has heretofore been proposed to employ ap aratus which required deposit of a coin be ore-the line signal at the central exchange became o erative, or could be actuated. The urpose t ereof was to avoid the necessity of aving the central operator answer a call until payment had been made, or to'avoid the necessity of having the central operator waiint I funding the deposited coin in event the conessary to e nection desired by the depo'sitor could not be made, e. 9., when the station called for was :1

To retain the coin in position so it could, if necessary, be re-funded, means were provided, whereby the coin was temporarily held. In these devices some operation of the central 0 erator, or the depositor was necii ect such displacement of the coin into the coin-drawer, e..g., the central operator was obliged to send generator or high-voltage current over the line, or the de positor was re uired to operate a push-button or lace t etelephone on the switchhook. n practice, the operation to effect said displacement would sometimes be neglected, and the delays in the service resulting from this operation have been objectionable.

One object of the present invention is to provide animproved telephone toll-line and apparatus wherein displacement of a deposited coin into the coin drawer is not dependout upon either the central operator or the depositor, and thus to avoid the objections to apparatus heretofore employed.

Another object of the invention is to rovide improved apparatus whereby the inesignal at central station, 11 n deposit of a coin into the toll-receiver, will become operative, and whereby said s' al will remainactuated or operative until ti e call is responded to by the central operator.

disconnect the vide an improved toll apparatus by w 'ch the coin-controlled line-signal 'at the exchange will be caused to remain operative until a call is responded to by the exchangeoperator, inde endently of the coin deposited for the ca tion of the line signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means whereby the signal circuit wherein the line relay is located, is broken at subscribers station to electrically grounded and other contacts at the toll receiver from the telephoneline as soon as the central operator responds to a call by inserting a plug into the switchboard. 7

The invention still further desi to provide an improved toll-receiver w erein the deposited coin is ositively shifted to effect the actuation of the signal which notifies the central operator that a connection is desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a toll ap aratus in which a coin must be deposite before the central office can be si an audib e signal, the actuation whereof is deferred until the central operator responds to a call so as to insure the receipt of the audible signal by the central operator.

The invention consists in the several-novel features hereinafter set forth, and more particularly defined by claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a telephone system and toll-apparatus embodying the several features of the intion showing the mechanism for producing the audible signal. I

The toll-receiver (shown more fully in Figs. 2-7) is located at the subscribers station, and comprises a suitable inclosing case Another object of the invention is to roand which causes the operaaled, with a device for producing 6, usually formed with a cover-plate Tier I convenience in examining and assembling the inclosed parts. The case s provide actuation of a signal device.

7 is shifted.

with a coin-receiving slot 8, a cup 9 for catch- 1 carrier. At one side of the frame a switching the rejected and refunded coins, and a coin-drawer 10 secured in t-he'case byalock 11.

The operating parts of the toll-receiver are sustained in relative position in and by a frame comprisingsides 12 and 13, secured together and to the case in any suitable and convenient manner. otally sustained by and revolubl held by a shaft 14 journaled in the frame si es and having a polygonal portion extending through a correspondingly-shaped sleeve ,15 secured in wings 16 of the coin-carrier. The carrier comprisessuitable walls, between which a coin-guide or channel 17 is formed. The front or upper end of the coin-channel 17 is located immediately beneath coin-receiving slot 8, and into said channel deposited coins will fall. A stop 18 is located in the coinchannel of the carrier, holds a deposited coin of proper size adjacent the .up per or front end and in position to cause the coin to cause the The bottom or lower Wall of coin-channel 17 is notched or held in the carrier, and permit the coin to engage and shift mechanism hereinafter de-- scribed, when the carrier with a coin therein, Shaft 14 is journaled in sides 12 and 13 of the frame, extends through one of the side-walls of the inclosing case, and has secured to its projecting terminal an o erating-arm or crank 20, whereby the sha' t and coin-carrier may be manually shifted. A coil spring 21 holds the carrier'in normal position against astop 22 and restores the carrier after operation. \Vings 16 on the coin carrier, obstruct the coin-receiving slot 8 while the carrier is out of normal position and prevent a coin from being inserted except when thecoin-channel 17 is immediately beneath coin-receiving slot 8 in position to-receive. a dc )osited coin.

' Coin -cf1anncl 17 is extended entirely through the carrier, so a coin insufficient in diameter to engage stop 18 (see Fig. 6) will pass out of the carrier at its lower end, and into an inclined run-way or guide 23 located in back of the carrier, thence down an inclined guide 24 at the. side of the frame, thence through a slot or opening 25, over an inclined wall 26, through an exit-opening 27 in the front of the case and into cup 9 and within reach of the depositor.

the collector or carrier is designed, or aslug, be deposited, it will not render the collector operative. to produce a signal, but will be rejected and returned to the depositor.

An arm B sustained by a shaft 25 journaled in the sides 12 and 13 of the frame, extends normally into-the path of movement of a coin in the carrier. Arm B is engaged and shifted by a. rain in the carrier during the 1nanually-imparted oscillatory shift of the A coin-carrier A is piv- If, through inad vcr'tence, a smaller coin than that wherefor arm C formed of non-conducting material, and contact-strip c, is arranged normally in position to engage a contact-spring 29-. Arm B is yieldingly held in normal position against a cross-rod 30, and is restored to such position by a sprin 31. An electro-magnet ner and comprises a helix 32. A pivoted armature 33 is o erated by the magnet, and a spring 34 he ds the armature normally away from the magnet. Electro-magnet D is responsive to current employed for speechtransmission over the tele hone line, that is, the helix will be energize and the armature will be 0 erated when current for speechtransmission )asses through the helix. Arm B-is provide with a part 35 arranged to be 33 when said arm has been shifted by a coin and the armature retains arm B and switcharm 0 in position to cause contact 0 to engage contact-spring 29 and also contact springs secured by screws and a block 38 of insulating'material, to the frame-side 12. After the arm B has been shifted and is held by the arm remain held thereby until helix 32 is The p.ur ose in providing such mechanism is to slgna the central office that a com has signal until the central operator has responded to the call.

25, at one side of the frame. Lever m is arranged to engage a hell or gon M to produce an audible signal which wil notify the cenltral o erator that a coin has been deposite is shifted, shaft 25,which simultaneously shifts switch-arm Cwill be shifted and held in shifted position by armature-hook 33 until helix 32 is energized, and such operation will cause striker-lever m to be shifted and held away from hell M until the shaft 25 is released, when the striker-lever impelled an audible signal. In practice, it has been found that in some instances, persons have actuated signals which could be actuated by a current of electricity in fraudulent manner, by bridging the circuit at exposed portions of the conductors or by grounding the current. The audible signal produced by bell M is therefore employed to confirm the indicator signal at the centraloflice, which is controlled by switch-arm C. actuation of hell M is deferred by armaturehook 33, and by means hereinafter defined, until the operator has answered the call, and it will be understood that the audible-signal device is not actuated until connection betweenthe subscriber's station and the ex- D is secured in the 'rame in convenient man- 36 and 37 (see dotted lines, Fig. 4), which are" armature-hook, the switch-arm'C and said 1 energized (by means presently described) been deposited, and further, to continue such by spring 31 will engage the bell and produce.

The

engaged by a hook 33" operated by armature A striker-lever m is also carried by shaft" en the carrier with a coin therein mad ssc,7os

. A, engages the edge of the coin and prevents retraction of the coin and carrier and repeated operation of the arm B by the same coin. Said dog held in proper normal position against a stop 40 and restored thereto by a s ring 41. In operation the coin successive y .enga es the teeth of the dog, and is prevented om being retracted until the coin has been discharged from the carrier. When acoin is shifted by the carrier, and the coin has passed beneath arm B and dog 39, the coin will be discharged from the carrier and will fall into a movable coin-distributer E, being directed thereto by crosswalls 42 and 43'. Beneath thecoin-distributer, a stop- 44 is formed, whereon the coin, after dischar e from the carrier, will rest. Thus it wil be seen that each deposited coin of proper size will be shifted by the carrier to cause the actuation of a signal, then discharged into the movable distributer E, and will be held therein (until removed by mechanism hereinafter described), by' sto 44. In back of stop 44 a guide 45 is forme which directs coins, when the coin-chute E is moved backwardly, into coin-drawer 10. In front of said stop, guide or run-way 26 is formed, which directs coins which fall thereon (when the distributer is shifted forwardly), into cup 9 at the outside of the case. A gate 46 pivotally sustained as at 47, prevents.

insertion of a wire or tool through opening 27 for fraudulent pu oses.

In practice, it has een found desirable to require the deposit of a coin at the subscribers stationbefore the line-signal at the central office can be actuated. in event the desired service or connection cannot be 'ven, the coin must be refunded. If the esired connection is made, the coin should eventually be laced in the coin-drawer.

The movab e distributer E is secured bypendant e to an armature e pivotally sustained as at 49 in a frame 50.- 'Armature c has an extension 51 to which is secured an arm 52 extending into the path of movement of a coin held in carrier A, and said arm is arranged to be engaged by the coin during the initial part of its travel. On each shift of the carrier with a deposited coin therein, the coin will at the outset, engage arm 52, rock armature'e aboutits ivot and sbiftthe distributer E backwar y to discharge a previously deposited coin (if any there be), from the chute and into the coindrawer.

An electro-magnet -G, when energized (by means at the central office) attracts volts),

in front of stop 44, and to be refunded to the depositor. A centralizing spring 53 retains the distributer normally in position above stop 44 and restores the armature and distributer after shift in either direction. Binding-posts 54 are provided for the con ductors, connecting the toll-receiver and telephone-line. The coin carrier serves as means for shifting a coin to-operate the line signal switch, the distributer to displace a coin into the coin receptacle and to set the audible-signal device so it will be operative wllilen the exchange operator answers the ca Referring to Fig. 1, H designates a subscribers station, I a switchboard located at a central exchange K, and J is a connecting telephone line comprising, branches 55 and 56. These branches are connected to linesprings '01 and i of switchboard at the central exchange and to the usua parts at the subscribers station which includes a transmitter, inductioncoils, receiver, signal-bell and switch-hook 57, connected together in usual manner, as well understood in the art. The switchboard shown is of the type commonly known as a relay-board. A linerelay 58 is associated with each subscribers line and is included in a si al circuit comprising branch 55 of the ine, switch 77*,

and wires 77 and 77 extending to battery.

75 and ground at 82. When energized the line relay causes the actuation of a-visual signal 79 such'as a lamp in a local circuit. A cut-off relay 59, included in a circuit which extends from ground at 82, conductor 81 and terminating in a test- 60, excludes the line-relay and visual signa or indicator from the signal circuit when the operator inserts a plug in the spring-jack. A cordcircuit Lincluding plugs 61 and 62, a battery 63 and other usual parts and signals,

is 1 provided at the central exchange. generator 64 grounded as at 65. and connected to-a switch 66, is included in the cordcircuit, and thereb a generator current (usually of volts) may be impressed upon the telephone-line. At the subscriber s station,a branch wire 67 connects branch 55 of the tele hone-line with contact-spring 37 in the to l-receiver, and electro-magnet D is included in a' branch conductor 68 leading from branch 56 of the telephone-line to contact 36 of the toll-receivert Contact-spring 29 is connected by wire 69 to ground as at 69. -Alconductor 70 connects a'contact 71 arranged to be engaged by switch-hook 57 only when the receiver has been removed from the hook, and the helix of electro-magnet G, and is connected to ground as at 72. Magnet G is wound to respond to generator current from generator 64 (usually one hundred and ten eater than the current (usually twentyour volts) sent over the line by battery 63 for talking purposes. Asa result, magnet G will .not be energized by current from battery 63, but only when current from generator 64 is impressed upon the line. When the subscribers station is out of use, the electro-magnet will .be disconnected from the line at switch-hook 57 and contact 71.

The operation will be as follows: To signal the central exchange, the subscriber inserts mature e and distribu-ter E will be promptly restored to normal position by spring 53;

Descending further, the coin will engage dog '39 and retraction of the coin will be thereby prevented. The coin will simyltaneously engage and shift arm B until its lower end has passed beyond the hook of armature 33. After the coin clears the arm B and dog 39, it will fall from channel 17 of the carrier, between walls 42 and 43, and into the distributer where it will rest on stop 44 as shown by dotted lines in Fig.5. After engagement with a, coin, arm will be locked and held by armature 33 until clectro-magnet D is energized. When arm B is thus locked, switch-arm C will .be in position J shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, and con grounded at 82) over conductor 77, through ductor plate will electrically connect contacts 29, 36 and 37 ,each with the other, and strikerlever m will also be held in retracted position. With the parts in such position, the linerelay 59 will immediately become operative to notify the central operator of the deposit of a proper coin in the toll-receiver, because current will [low from battery 75 (which is line-relay 58 (energizing said relay and closing the local signal circuit wherein visual l signal 59 is located), thence through the armature 77 of cut-out relay 59, over branch wirc 55 of the telephone-line, thence by conductor 67, contact 37, contact 0 of switch arm U, and contact 29- to ground at 69. Visual signal 79 will thus notify the central operator that a connection is desired and t at payment has been made for the desired service. Such signal continues until the central operator responds by inserting a plug of the cord-circuit L, into the springjack of the switchboard I. When the central operator inserts a plug into the switchboard, currcnt will pass from batter '63 of the cord-circuit, over the conductor eading" informed ol" the deposit of a coin.

to and by the tip of one of the plugs, thence tact spring '5 of the sprin -jack, contact ring Y 800i one of the switch-p ugs, and thence by usual connections to battery 63. When electro-magnet D-has been energized, the signal circuit will be broken at the tollreceiver and the grounded wire '69 will be disconnected from the line, thus rendering the line relay at the exchange inoperative until another coin has been deposited. Simultaneously,'current will flow from battery 63 through the larger ring of the in serted plug, test-ring 60 and wire 81, and cut-out relay 59 to round at 82. The cutout relay Wlll thenbe ener ized, attract its armature, and thus break t e circuit of the line-relay 58 and the local signal circuit in which lamp 79 is included.

Upon release of arm B,which occurs when electro-magnet 32 is energized, and the central operator has inserted'one of the plugs of the cord-circuit into the spring-jack, and

communication has been established between the central operator and the subscribers station over the telephone c1rcu1t,

I striker-lever m will be released and actuate bell M, thus producing an audible signal which will be transmitted over the line to the central operator. This audible signal confirms the operation of the line signal at the exchange, and thereby the operator will be If the confirmatory audible signal is not heard, the operator will know that the line-signal has been actuated by other means than a'dcposited'coin. For example, if attempt should be made to actuate the line-relay by connecting conductor 67 with ground or with one of the binding-posts connected with ground, or the line should be connected with ground in anv other manner, the audible signal device will not be actuated, and the operator will know that payment has not been made. It will thus be seen that the indicator at the central ollice is immediately actuated, upon the deposit of a coin, and the actuation of the audible signal device is deferred until the operator responds to the call. The lineindicator is coin-controlled, andthe audible signal while also coin-controlled, is deferred until the central operator responds. The central operator can thereby detect a call obtained through operation of the line-indicator by fraudulent means.

After having ascertained the connection desired, by the depositor of the coin, the central operator will ascertain in usual manner whether or not the desired connection can be obtained. If the line wherewith communii given, the operator shifts switch 66 in the cord-circuit L, to cause generator currentto pass from generator 64, through tip of the inserted plug, contact-spring i of the springjack, branch 55 of the line, switch hook 57, contact-spring 71, conductor70, and electromagnet G to ground at 72. Energ'ization of said magnet will cause armature eto be attracted, shift distributor E forwardly, and the deposited coin will be displaced from stop 44, into cup 9, and be refunded. Such return of the coin will be a notification to the depositor that the desired connection cannot be obtained. l 1

From the operation and mechanism defined, it will be seen that the central operator is not obliged to perform any other function than making the usual connection, unless a coin is to be refunded. In other words, the duties of the central operator are precisely the sameas those necessary with stations wherefor a periodical rental is paid, unless the service cannot be given, in which event instead of informing the subscriber to such efiect, the operator refunds the coin. This resultant advantage is a very important one, because'in exchanges where both toll-stations and leased stations are used, the operator will not become confused in her duties and moreover, the displacement of the coins received in payment is not effected by the 0 rator but is automatically effected during til succeedin o eration of the toll-receiver. The improveftoIl-receiver provides a device wherein no special operation of either depositor or central operator is necessary to displace the coin into the cash-drawer, and consequently the functions of the operator are materially lessened, which results in improved service. A further advantage of the 1m roved device 'is that the necessity of,

uti izing the deposited coin as a conductor or x of operating contact-springs by the gravity oft e coin itself, are entirely avoided, the coin is positively shifted to eiiect the movement 0 the switch which completes the si nal circuit wherein the linerelay is included The mechanism for locking or holding the switch and audible signahdevice until the central operator responds to the call, assures response from the exchange before the audi ble-signal device is operated and thereby the line is promptly freed of grounded connections. Another important advantage is that the apparatus providesa system wherein the line-s' nal is coin-controlled, and a coin-controlle audible signalfis deferred until the operator res onds, and furthermore, the audible signa confirms the actuation of the line-relay so the central operator can detect thefraudulent operation of the line-signal. The toll-receiver is-simple in construction and positive in its operation.

While the device-is shown as adapted to receive coins, it is obvious that any toll representin check or token can be used, and the wor coin as used herein is to be understood as including any toll-representing check or token. The term coindistribu ter-, as used in the claims is not to be understood as defining the particular construction shown and described, unless the construction is specifically defined therein.

The particular arrangement and construction may be varied within wide limits by those skilled in the art, and the novel features may be employed severally without ado tion of the invention in entirety, and wit out departing from'the spirit of the'invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a telephone toll apparatus, the combination with means for disposing of a coin in a plurality ofdirections, means for directing said coin in one of said directions by the insertion of another coin, and means operated from the exchange for disposing of said coin in another of said directions;

2. In a telephone toll apparatus, the combination. wit means for disposing of a coin in a plurality of directions, means operable by another inserted coin for displacing said first coin in one of said directions, and means for shifting said second coin to operate said displacing means 4. In a telephone toll apparatus, the combination of meansfor refunding a coin operable by the exchange operator, means for retalmng a previously deposited coin when another coin is deposited, and vmeans for shifting the deposited coin to operate the retaining means. 7

5. In telephone-toll apparatus, the'combination of coih-distributing-means for causing a coin to be refunded or retained, means for causing a deposited coin to be refunded and operable by the exchange operator, and means for operating the distributing-means to retain a previously deposited coin when I another coin is deposited.

, means operable by the depositor for shifting,

6. In a telephone toll apparatus, the combination with means for disposing of a coin in a plurality of directions, means for directing said coin in one of said directions by the insertion of another coin, and electro-magnetic means controlled from the exchange for disposing of said coin in another of said directions.

7. In telephone-toll apparatus, the combi: nation of coin refunding means, an electromagnet for operating the refunding means, means for energizing said electro-magnet under control of the exchan -e operator, means for retaining a previous y deposited coin when another coin is deposited, and

a 'deposite'dcoin to operate the retaining means. 8. In toll-receiving apparatus for telephones, the combination of coin-refundingmeans, means for causingv a deposited coin to be retained, a movable coin-carrier for shifting a coin to cause a previously deposited coin to be retained, and electro-magnetic means for operating the refundingmeans.

9. In toll-receiving apparatus for telephone lines, a coin-distributer, a movable coin-carrier for shiftin a coin, means for shifting the distributer in one direction when a coin is shifted by' the carrier, a support for holding a coin in the distributer, a refunding posited coin so it will be retained.

passage and a retaining passage at the sides of said support, an electromagnet for shifting the distributer in the other direction, and means for energizing the magnet. V

10. The combinatiorrwi'th a telephone line of coin-refunding-means, means for causing displacement of a coin so it willbe retained, a signal-circuit, a switch for controlling passage of current over said circuit, and means for shifting a coin to operate the switch and to cause displacement of a previously de- 11. The combination with a telephone line of coin-refunding-means, means for causing displacement of coin so it will be retained, a

signal-circuit, a switch for controlling passagepf current over said circuit, means for shifting a coin to operate the switch and to cause displacement of a coin so it will be retained, and electro-magnetic means for operating the refunding-means.

12. The combination with a telephone line of a signal-circuit, coin-refunding means,

.means for causing displacement of a coin so it will be retained, a coin-controlled switch for controlling the signal-circuit, means operable b the exchange operator for operating the re unding means, and means for causing a deposited coin to operate the coin-displacing-means and said switch.

shifting a deposited coin, a signal-circuit, a

switch for controlling passage of current over said circuit, a dog in the path of travel of a coin in the carrier for preventing retraction of the carrier,- and means for causing the coin in the carrier to shift the'switch. Y

15. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination of a'signal, a switch for controlling the operation of said signal, a movable coin-carrier, an arm extending in the path of travel of a coin in said carrier and for shifting the switch when acoin is shifted by the carrier, and means for holding the switch in operated position.

16. In tollapparatus for telephones,v the combination of coin-shifting-means operable by the depositor, a-signal, a switch for controllin the operation of said signal, means for ho ding said switch in shifted position when a coin is shifted by the shifting-means, and ele'ctro-magnetic means for operating the holding means to release the switch.

17. In toil-apparatus for telephones, the combination of a swinging coin-carrier, a signal, a switch controlling the operation of the signal, an arm extending into the path of travel of a coin in the carrier and for shifting said switch, means for holding said switch in shifted position, and means for releasing said switch from said holding means.

18. In toll-apparatus for telephones, the combination of a switch, a signal controlled by said switch, means for causing the coin to shift said switch in one direction, means for locking said switch to retain it in shifted position,"and means operable by the exchangeoperator for releasing the switch.

19. In toll-apparatus for telephones, the combination of a switch, a signal controlled by said switch, means for shifting a coin to shift said switch, means for locking said switch to retain it in one position, an electromagnet forreleasing the switch, and means for energizing the electro-magnet.

20. In toll-apparatus for tele homes, the combination of a switch, a signal controlled by said switch, means for positively shifting I means for locking the switch to retain it in one-position, an electro-magnet for releasing the switch, means for energizing the electromagnet, coin-distributing-means, and means for operating the distributi -means so a previously deposited coin wi be retained whena coin is shifted tooperate said switch,

23. In toll-apparatus for telephones, the combination ofa switch, a coin-carrier, coindistributing-means for directing a coin into a refunding path or a retaining path, means for operating the distributing means to displace a coin into the retaining path when a coin is deposited, means for shifting said switch when a coin is deposited, locking means for said switch, an electro-magnet for releasing the switch, and means for energizing the electro-magnet.

24. The combination with a telephone line extending frornthe sub-station to an exchange, of a line-si .al, meansfor disposing of acoin ina plura 'ty of directions, means for directing said coin in one of said directions by the insertion of another coin, means operated from the exchange for disposing of said coin in another of said directions, and means for operating the line-signal when a coin is inserted.

25. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an exchange, of a line signal, means for disposing of a coin in a plurality of directions, means for directing. said coin in one of said directions by the insertion of another coin, an

= electr'o-magnet operated from the exchange station for disposin of said coin in another of said directions an means for operating the line-signal when a coin is inserted.

26. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an ex change, of a coin-controlled line-signal, coinrefunding-means, means for causingdisplacement of a deposited coin so it will be retained, means for shiftinga coin to operate the displacing means to cause a previously deposited coin to be retained, and means operable by the exchange-operator for operating the refunding-means. 27. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an exchange, of a coin-controlled line-signal, coinref'unding-means, means for causing displacement of a deposited coin so it will be retained, means for shifting a coin to operate the dis placing means to cause a previously depos ited coin to be retained, and electro-magnetic means for operating the refunding means.

28. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an ex ment'of a deposited coin so it will be retained,

means for causing a coin to operate the displacing means so a previously deposited coin held thereby will be retained and .for causing the coin to operate said switch to cause the operation of the line signal, and means underthe control of the exchange-operator for operating the refunding means. 29. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an' ex chan e, of a line-signal, a signal-circuit, a switc for controlling said clrcuit, coin-refunding-means, means for causing displacement 0 adeposited coin sojt will be retained, means for causinga coin to operate the displacing means so a previously deposited coin eld thereby will be retained and for causing operation of the line-signal, and electro-magnetic means for operating the refundingmeans. a Y

30. The combination with a telephone line extending from a sub-station to an exchange, switc for controlling said circuit, coinrefundin means, means for causing displacement 0%a de osited coin so it will be retained, and means or shifting a coin to operate the displacin means so a previously deposited coin hel shifting the coin to operate said switch to cause the operation of the line-signal.

31. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of an electric circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch for control ling passage of current over said circuit to control'actuation of the line-signal, means for shifting said switch when a coin is deposited to cause actuation of the line-signal, and

.means for holding the switch in position to cause the actuation of the line-signal, the

holding means being independent of the coin extending between a sub-station and an exchange, ofan electric circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the'exchange, coin-refunding means under the control of the exchange-operator, a coin-controlled switch for controlling passage of current over said circuit to control actuationof the line signal, means for shifting said switch when a 'coin is deposited to cause actuation of the line-signal, and means for holding. the switch in @osition to cause the actuation of the line-signal, the holding means being independent of the coin and of said circuit.

33. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, a line-signal at the exchange, a signal of a line-signal, a signal-circuit, a'

thereby will be retained and for circuit, a coin-controlled switch at the substation for controlling the line signal, means for causing a coin to shift said switch to cause the operation. of the line signal, means for restoring said switch when the exchangeoperator inserts a plug into the switchboard in response to a call, and coinrefunding means controlled by the exchangeoperator.

34. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-operated switch at the sub-station for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for directing a coin to shift said,

switch, and means for shifting said switch to open-said circuit at'the sub-station when the exchange-operator inserts a plug into the switch-board in response to a'call.

35. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange,- of a signal-circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-operated switch at the sub-station for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for directing a coin to shift said switch, means for shifting said switch to open said circuit at the sub-station when the exchange-operator inserts a plug into the switch-board in response to a call, and coinrefunding means under the control of the exchange operator.

36. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit normally open at the substa tion, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for holding said switch in one position and an electro-magnet for causing said switch to be shifted, and means for energizing the magnet to shift the switch when the exchange'opera-tor inserts a plug into the switchboard in response to a call.

. 37. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit normally open at the sub-station, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for holding said switch in one position and an electro magnet for causing said switch to be shifted, means for energizing the magnet to shift the switch when the exchange-operator inserts a plug in to the switch-board in response to a call, and coin-refunding means under control of the exchange-operator.

38. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a' signal circuit grounded and normally open at the sub-station, a linesignal at the exchange, a coin controlled switch for controlling said circuit, means for holding said switch in position to close said seo,7os

,for energizing said magnet when the operator inserts a plug into the switch-board in response to a call, and coin-refunding means under control of the exchange operator.

40. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of an electric-circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, means for shifting a coin, a switch for controlling the line signal, means for shifting said switch when a coin is shifted by the shifting means, means for holding said switch in position to close the signal-circuit at the sub-station, an electro-magnet for causing said switch to be shifted to open said circuit, and suitable means and connections for energizing said electro-magnet to cause the switch to open the circuit when the exchange operator inserts a plug into the switch-board in response to a call.

41. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit normally 0 en at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exe iange, means for shifting a coin, a.switch for 0011- trolling theline-signal, means for shifting said switch when a coin is shifted by the shifting means, means for holding said switch in position to close the signal-circuit at the [sub-station, an electro1nagnet for causing said switch to be shifted to open said circuit, suitable means and connections for energizing said electro-magnet to cause the switch to open the circuit when the exchange operator inserts a plug into the switchboard in response to a call, and coin-refunding-means under the control of the exchange operator.

42. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of an electric circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line signal atthe central oilice, a coin-controlled switchat the substation for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for locking said extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of an electric circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the substation for controlling passage of. current over said circuit, means for locking said switch in position to close said circuit, an electro-magnet for releasing said switch, and means for energizing said electro magnet to cause said switch to be released, and to open said switch when the operator inserts a lug into the switch-board in response to a cail.

44. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of an electric circuit normally open at the sub-station, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the substation for controlling passage of current over said circuit, means for locking said switch in position to close said circuit, an

electro-magnet for releasing said switch, means for energizing said electro-magnet to cause said switch to be released and to open said switch when the operator inserts a plug into the switchboard in response to a call, and coin-refunding means under control of the exchange-operator.

45. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station forcontrolling the line signal, coin-refunding means, means for causing displacement of a coin so it will be retained, means for holding the switch in position to cause the operation of the line-signal, means for causing a coin to operate said switch to cause the operation of the line-signal, and means for operating the coin displacing means. when said switch is operated, and electro-magnetic means for releasing said i switch.

46. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an ex change, of a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station for controlling the line signal, coin-refunding means, means for causing displacement of a coin so it will ,be retained, means for holding the switch in position to cause the operation of the line-signal, means for causing a coin to o erate said switch to switch, an electro-magnet for operating the coin-refunding means, a conductor in which the magnet for the refunding-means is included, said conductor being connected to the telephone line and normally open at the switch hook of the sub-station, said electromagnets being of different resistances, and means under control of the exchange operator for energizing said electro-magnets.

48. The combination with a telephone line extending between a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station, coin-refunding means, means for causing displacementof a coin so itfiwill be retained when another coin is deposited, 'means for shifting said switch when a coin is deposited to cause the actuation of the line signal, means for holding the switch in shifted position, an electro-magnet for causing said switch to be released, an electro-magnet for operating the refunding means, a conductor connected to the telephone line and in which the helix of the magnet for the refunding means is included, said conductor being normally open at the switch-hook of the substation, said electro-magnets being of d'fierent resistances, and means for energizing said electro-magnets.

49. The combination with a telephone line connecting a sub-station and an exchange, a signal circuit, a line-signal at the exchange a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station or controllingthe line-signal, a coin-controlled device for producing an audible-signal at the sub-station, and means operable from the exchange for causing the operation of the audible-signal device to c'onfirm the operation of the line-signal switch by a coin:

50, The combination with a telephone line connecting a sub-station and an exchange, a signal-circuit, a line-si nal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch for the line signal, a device at the sub-station for producing an audible signal and comprising an actuatin part means for causing a coin to shift said actuating part when said switch is shifted by a coin to actuate the line-signal, and means for causing the operation of the audible-signal device to confirm the operation of the switch by a coin.

51. The combination with a telephone line "connecting a sub-station and an exchange,

a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch at the sub-station for controlling the line-signal,a coin-controlled device for roducing an audible-signal at the sub-station, and electro-magnetic means for causing the operation of the audible-signal device to confirm the operation of the linesignal by the switch.

52. The combination with a telephone line connecting a sub-station and an exchange, a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchange, a coin-controlled switch for the line-signal,

- a device at the sub-station for producing an audible-signal'and comprising an actuating part, means for causing a coin to shift said actuating part .when said switch is shifted by a coin to actuate the line-signal, electro-magnetic means'for causing the operation of the audible-signal device to co the operation of the switch by a coin.

53. The combination with a telephone line connecting a sub-station andan exchange, of

a signal-circuit, a line-signal at the exchan e,

'cal..

' shift said 54. The combination with a telephone line 7 connecting a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit, a line-si al, a switch at the sub-station for causing t e operation of said signal, a device at the sub-station for producin an audible-signal and comprising a mova le part, means for shifting a coin to art and said switch, means for holding said movable part in shifted osition, and electro-magnetic means for re easing said part. I

55. The combination with a telephone line connecting a sub-station and an exchange, of a signal-circuit, a line-s al, a switch at the sub-station for causingt e operation of said using the actuation of the audisignal, a device at the sub-station for producin an audible-signal and comprising a movabde part, means for shifting a coin to shift said part and said switch, means for holdin said movable part in shifted position, an

means for causing said part to actuate the audible-signal-device when the operator inserts a pllug into the switch-board 1n response 'to a ca 56. In toll-receiving a paratus, the combination of-a switch,-a (device for producing an audible signal, coin distributing means, mechanism for causin the operation of said switch and said distri uting means and for operating said device, and means for causing a coin to 0 erate said mechanism.

57. A to -receiving apparatus comprising the combination of a switch, a device for producing an audible signal, coin-distributing means, and mechanism for shifting a coin to cause the operation of said switch and said distributing means and to actuate said device.

58. In a toll collector, means for holding a toll piece in suspense, electro-ma etic means .for controlling the return of said toll piece to. the depositor, and a device controlled by a subsequently deposited toll piecefor cashing said first mentioned .toll

piece. Y t

EDWARD P. BAIRD.

' Witnesses: v

FRED GERLACH, Toners HsALFoRDs. 

